“IT’S a low-maintenance house, easy to live in but different and groovy, too,” says Tina Hobill of the sculptural, modern Narrabundah home she shares with architect husband Adam and their two young daughters Ella and Ruby, and Chilli the dog (“our first child!”).
“The house absolutely meets our style requirements… although Adam says I’m the hardest client he’s ever had!”
Adam and Tina designed and built their “dream” home a couple of years ago, and since then the project has won Adam, of Adam Hobill Design, the 2011 National Building Designers Australia award.
“It’s a good feeling to win an award that’s judged by your peers,” he says.
“We wanted plenty of natural light, cross ventilation and strong visual links from the interior spaces to outdoor living and recreational areas.”

The house is large but with plenty of “cosy nooks” and bright shots of bold colour, like the Kelly-green kitchen splash-backs, accents of red and pops of yellow to keep the space playful. High, horizontal windows upstairs control the outlook and create views of treetops, sky and clouds, “like being in a tree-house”, says Adam.
Tina says they spend all their time outside in the summer, and with their home’s L-shaped design and walls of windows, can always see what the kids are up to. “They can play in the garden or in the toy room, watch DVDs or whatever, and I can see them, but they’re not under my feet,” she says.
“It’s an easy place to live in; it’s big but it pretty much looks after itself.”
Adam says he used natural, raw materials and left them exposed to age and develop, like the warm timber used throughout the home and the practical concrete floors that “don’t show the dirt!”
“The budget didn’t allow for complex detailing or expensive finishes, so the success of the design needed to rely on the unique detailing of common materials and finishes,” he says.
While Adam admits his favourite spot in the house is his concealed wine cellar, Tina says she adores the living area.
“My favourite Friday night is sitting on the couch, fire on, glass of red wine in my hand!” she says.
“It’s our dream house.”